Can the Ethernet Cable Affect Your Upload Speed

Are Ethernet Cables Slowing Your Connection?

Find out if your Ethernet cables keep yous from surfing at brain-melting speeds.

January 14, 2022 Share
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An Ethernet cablevision may slow your connectedness if it's the incorrect blazon or damaged. For example, y'all shouldn't apply a Cat v cable for an internet connection faster than 100 Mbps. And a damaged cablevision will irksome your connection, as will an Ethernet switch box that's going bad.

To embrace all the bases, we'll explain how yous can identify an Ethernet cablevision'due south category, determine if you lot have the correct i, and troubleshoot possible bug related to Ethernet connections if y'all already have the correct Ethernet cable.

Need a new Ethernet cable?

We list the best Ethernet cables you can get from DbillionDa, DanYee, Amazon Nuts, and more.

Beginning, find your cablevision'due south category

Expect closely at your Ethernet cable to find its category number, which volition exist printed on the outer layer (sheath).

Ethernet Categories tell you lot information virtually the speed and reliability of Ethernet cables over sure distances. The higher the category, the newer the design used for the cablevision, and the faster speeds the cable'due south design supports. If your Ethernet cable reads Cat five or lower, it'south probably too slow.

Here's a list of the speeds each category type can deliver:

Then, if you lot have a CAT 5 cable connecting your modem to your router, only you pay for a 400 Mbps internet connection, you'll never encounter speeds in a higher place 100 Mbps. Your best bet is to use a CAT 5e or Cat 6 cable for connections between 200 and i,000 Mbps (i Gbps).

A Cat 6a cable or newer is ideal for multigigabit internet connections.

Do yous demand a faster programme?

If you lot're pretty sure your cyberspace connection is holding you lot back (and not your Ethernet cables), enter your zip code beneath to see if at that place's a faster service in your area.

Ethernet troubleshooting

If you accept the correct cable, continue on to see if there may be problems with the length, the connectors, or other factors.

Cheque your cable's length

Most Ethernet cables are designed to perform at a specific sustained speed across 328 anxiety. For case, a Cat 6 cable has a maximum speed of 1 Gbps, while a CAT 6a cable can hit 10 Gbps—both across 328 feet without any slowdowns. The only exceptions are two Cat 7 cables and CAT eight cables that support high speeds at shorter distances.

That said, you won't meet any speed changes if yous employ a short cable versus a long one if they're both inside the specification's designated range. But all cables that extend beyond their specified range will see point loss, which results in slower speeds. In other words, you'll simply become a 10 Gbps connection out of a CAT 7 cable if information technology's longer than 164 anxiety in length.

However, some may argue that shorter cables are better than long ones because data takes less time to attain its destination. After all, a motorcar traveling at 50 MPH across 10 miles will achieve its destination earlier a car traveling at the same speed across 100 miles. With Ethernet, the time difference is in nanoseconds, and then it's not worth the argument.

However, you don't want to use a 50-foot cable to connect your modem to your router if they're sitting side-by-side—cable management would be a nightmare.

Check the cable for damage

An Ethernet cable has two or iv twisted copper wire pairs wrapped in foil and covered past a sturdy PVC sleeve. If the copper wires are damaged, you will have a slower connexion—or no connection at all.

Keep in mind that cats and puppies dearest to chew on cables, and toddlers may pull on them just because they're interesting and fun to whip. Endeavour to proceed your cables out of reach from teeth, claws, and little fingers.

If you have Ethernet cables located outside, under your abode, or in the cranium, check them for harm likewise. They're just every bit susceptible to nature and man error as cable TV and telephone lines, so one piffling nick from a weed eater or a bite from a rodent can slow your internet connectedness to a crawl.

Cheque the cable's connectors

An Ethernet cable has an RJ45 connector on each end. These connectors accept eight contacts that touch 8 contacts inside the Ethernet port. If they're dirty, corroded, or damaged, you won't take a good connexion, which causes slower speeds.

Why do some Ethernet cables use gold?

Some Ethernet cables employ gilt because it'southward non-corrosive and more conductive, so go along that in mind when yous store for a new Ethernet cable.

An Ethernet cable'due south connector also has a clip that's used to hold it in place inside the Ethernet port. If the prune is broken, the connector will jerk around in the port, preventing the contacts from making a full connection. You'll accept slower speeds every bit a issue and a possible disconnection if the connector falls out of the port.

Check your PC's Ethernet port(due south)

In that location are three types of Ethernet ports you can find in today's electronics: Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and Multigigabit Ethernet.

If y'all accept a desktop or laptop with a Fast Ethernet port, you won't see speeds above 100 Mbps. Nigh PCs now ship with Ethernet ports that support 1,000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet), and some may even accept two Gigabit Ethernet ports yous tin can link together to attain ii,000 Mbps (2 Gbps) speeds when you lot tether your PC to a compatible device.

If you take an older PC with a Fast Ethernet port, yous tin can piece of work around its limitation by purchasing a USB-to-Ethernet adapter that supports gigabit speeds. The older USB-A 2.0 port supports up to 480 Mbps, which is better than a Fast Ethernet connection. However, you should employ a USB-A iii.x or USB-C 3.x port, equally they back up v,000 Mbps (5 Gbps) or 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps), depending on the port's configuration.

What USB port practice you have?

USB ports on PCs typically take two shapes. The "A" rectangular port is older and more common. Those that apply the slower USB 2.0 standard are blackness and have the pitchfork-manner symbol printed to the side. Those that apply the 3.10 standard are blue and have the SS pitchfork symbol printed to the side. The "C" port is smaller and more oval and supports 5 Gbps and college speeds.

Use a dissimilar Ethernet port

If you use Ethernet with a game panel, PC, or streaming device, endeavour moving the other finish of your Ethernet cable to a dissimilar port on the router or gateway. There are usually four at the very least, and the 1 you're using may be failing.

A bad Ethernet port will give y'all tiresome speeds or no connection at all. Past switching ports, you tin dominion out other possibilities like internet problems, cablevision issues, and device issues. If your connection suddenly improves by using the new port, then something is wrong with the previous 1. Put tape over the troublesome port, so you don't use it over again.

If you accept a mesh kit that limits you to just one or two Ethernet ports, y'all may need to utilise Wi-Fi instead. Contact the manufacturer if you believe the Ethernet port is having technical issues.

Bank check your network settings

Log in to your router or gateway's interface, and brand certain you didn't accidentally block a wired device or limit its connection. The Ethernet cable and port may not be an result at all, but rather a setting that'southward preventing your device from seeing the connection's full potential.

For instance, routers and gateways provide Quality of Service settings that prioritize specific devices and traffic. You may run into speed issues if the router or gateway allocates more than bandwidth to a gaming device and prioritizes its associated traffic.

Bank check your Ethernet switch

If you lot have multiple Ethernet lines running through your habitation or office, chances are y'all may have an Ethernet switch box. They're ideal if you ignore Wi-Fi birthday and wire everything that accesses the internet. They're essentially petty computers with only one job: frontward information.

Like any computing device, switches need to be power cycled from time to time to clear upward any hardware and software problems. If disconnecting and reconnecting the power doesn't resolve your slowdown woes (and yous're sure the switch is the upshot), then you may demand to supercede the unit.

Restart and update your devices

Your Ethernet slowdown may result from a hardware or software issue requiring you to reboot your device.

Exist sure that yous keep your devices updated, too—install all operating organisation updates and drivers. An outdated network driver—software that allows the operating system to speak to the hardware—can cause connection issues, like slowdowns and disconnections. Manufacturers generally release new drivers throughout the year to improve performance and postage out issues, and so keeping them current is a must.

Telephone call your internet provider

Cable modems, DSL modems, and fiber optical network terminals (ONT) utilize Ethernet to evangelize internet to a Wi-Fi router. If yous replaced the Ethernet cable tethering the two devices and you lot still have speed issues that aren't related to your net connection, there may be problems with the Ethernet port on the modem or ONT. You lot may also be experiencing a general failure with the modem or ONT itself. Call your provider if you've ruled everything else out.

Some homes and offices may have Ethernet problems you just can't fix. For instance, many fiber-to-the-domicile and fiber-to-the-building services use Ethernet cables draped within the walls and connected to Ethernet jacks mounted in the wall. There may be an issue with the cable or the wall-mounted port that requires a technician to set.

How practise y'all make Ethernet run faster?

Yous tin make an Ethernet network run faster by getting better hardware and cables.

Nigh modern PCs, game consoles, streaming boxes, and other devices all the same use Gigabit Ethernet ports. Modems, routers, and gateways also more often than not use Gigabit Ethernet ports considering most internet connections don't get beyond 1 Gbps.

The simply exceptions are Google Fiber'due south 2 Gbps program, Xfinity'due south Gigabit cable cyberspace plan (1.2 Gbps), and Xfinity'southward Gigabit Pro cobweb net plan (iii Gbps). Some smaller internet providers like Advanced Stream and Brigham have plans that reach up to 10 Gbps.

But you can increment your habitation network's speed past using the latest Ethernet cablevision—CAT 6a or newer. Plus, many devices with multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports now support link aggregation, which allows you to pair two ports together for a 2 Gbps connection. You'll also notice devices with Ethernet ports supporting 2.5 Gbps, but they're not as common every bit Gigabit Ethernet.

Finally, upgrading your Ethernet switch boxes is a good idea (if you lot use them). The two.5 Gbps boxes are more expensive and less common than Gigabit Ethernet switches, but yous're investing in the futurity.

FAQ nearly Ethernet cables

Who maintains the Ethernet standards?

The Plant of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) develops and maintains standards that define how devices share information. You may exist familiar with the IEEE 802.xi standard family used for Wi-Fi, like 802.11ac or Wireless Ac (at present Wi-Fi 5). The 802.3 standard family dictates how Ethernet works in a network, like how fast a cable can send information over a ready distance.

Similar with Wi-Fi, the IEEE has revised the 802.3 standard over the years to support faster speeds. Each revision adds a letter of the alphabet, like 802.3a and 802.3e. Since these specifications dictate different speeds and how to attain them, the supporting cables split into categories.

Still, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) maintains the standards specific to Ethernet cables used in non-residential areas and buildings.

Are all Ethernet cables the aforementioned?

Non all Ethernet cables are the same. They are currently divided into seven types (or categories) based on their design and supported maximum speed.

What is an Ethernet category?

A category (True cat) refers to how an Ethernet cable supports a specific specification through its blueprint. For case, a True cat 5e cable features four twisted wire pairs capable of supporting a bandwidth of 100 MHz (100 Mbps). A CAT 3 cable has two twisted wire pairs that support a lower 16 MHz (x Mbps) bandwidth.

The category number represents the revision. College numbers represent newer cables, faster speeds, and added shielding that enables those faster speeds. Here'south the consummate list:

Want to know more than about Ethernet cables?

We go into more item nearly megahertz, shielding, oxygen-free copper, and more than in our guide for the all-time Ethernet cables you lot tin can get.

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Author - Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working every bit a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and presently branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other net-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom'due south Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authorization, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on internet security.

Editor - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of feel writing nigh tech and the cyberspace, with a specialty in easily-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the Academy of Evansville and has found her niche writing about habitation networking, routers, and net access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has besides been featured on Pinnacle Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

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